Overpressure protection valve

ABSTRACT

In an embodiment, a system comprises a valve disc configured in an overpressure protection device. The system can also include a valve gasket configured to rest on the valve disc. The system also includes a valve seat configured above the valve gasket, wherein the valve gasket is sealed in between the valve seat and the valve disc. The system further includes a supporting structure configured above the valve seat. The supporting structure is configured to enable the valve gasket to remain in position between the valve disc and the valve seat in response to an increase in pressure.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure pertains to an overpressure protection valve tobe used in meters such as, a gas meter, a fluid meter, and so forth.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

A valve, integrated into a gas meter, is intended to temporarilyinterrupt a gas supply in incidents including, but not limited to,non-payment, tamper attacks, safety issues such as, high temperature,high pressure, and so forth. Traditionally, the valve used in the gasmeter have an operational pressure of up to 2 Pound-force per SquareInch (PSI), which makes them vulnerable in a higher pressure.

However, in case, a regulator installed upstream is broken, then ahigh-pressure gas that can be in a range of 10 PSI or higher, get into alow-pressure pipeline. As a result, the integrated valve is not able towithstand in a valve closed position the high pressure within thelow-pressure pipeline. The high pressure can further result in aninflation of a valve gasket (made from rubber) like a balloon when thepressure rises above a level of 2 PSI. Moreover, at about 10 PSI, thevalve gasket can jump off a valve disc, and the high pressure and thecomplete flow of the gas will go through the gas meter into a downstreaminstallation. The high pressure and the flow of the gas into thedownstream installation can further cause accidents such as, explosionsand fire.

There is thus a need for an efficient long-lasting valve system andmethod having higher pressure resistance for gas meters or fluid meters.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a system comprises a valve disc configured within anoverpressure protection device. The system also includes valve gasketconfigured over the valve disc, wherein the valve gasket is configuredto rest on the valve disc. The system can also comprise a valve seatconfigured in the overpressure protection device. The valve gasket isconfigured to be sealed within the valve disc and the valve seat. Thesystem can also comprise a supporting structure configured above thevalve gasket and the valve seat. The supporting structure is configuredto that the valve gasket remains in position between the valve disc andthe valve seat in response to an increase in pressure.

In an embodiment, a system comprises a gas meter configured with anoverpressure protection device. The system can also comprise a valvedisc configured in the overpressure protection device, wherein the valvedisc is configured within the gas meter. The system further comprises avalve gasket configured on the valve disc within the gas meter. Thevalve gasket is made of stiff plastic material to ensure that it remainsin position in response to an increase in pressure. The system alsocomprises a valve seat configured above the valve gasket. The valvegasket is configured to press onto the valve seat in response to theincrease in the pressure.

In an embodiment, a method comprises configuring a valve disc within anoverpressure protection device. The method also includes positioning avalve gasket to rest above the valve disc. The valve gasket isconfigured to rest on the valve disc. The method also includesconfiguring a valve seat in the overpressure protection device. Thevalve gasket is configured to be sealed within the valve disc and thevalve seat. The method further comprises situating a supportingstructure above the valve gasket and the valve seat. The supportingstructure is configured to enable the valve gasket to remain in positionbetween the valve disc and the valve seat in response to an increase inpressure.

The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding ofsome embodiments of the present mechanism. This summary is neither anextensive nor exhaustive overview of the present mechanism and itsvarious embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of theembodiments of the present mechanism in a simplified form as anintroduction to the more detailed description presented below. As willbe appreciated, other embodiments of the present mechanism are possibleutilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features setforth above or described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overpressure protection valve,according to an embodiment of the present mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overpressure protection valveaccording to another embodiment of the present mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an overpressure protection valve,according to another embodiment of the present mechanism;

FIG. 4 illustrates an overpressure protection valve according to anotherembodiment of the present mechanism;

FIG. 5 illustrates an overpressure protection valve according to afurther embodiment of the present mechanism; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method for operating theoverpressure protection valve, according to an embodiment of the presentmechanism.

DESCRIPTION

This description may provide one or more illustrative and specificexamples or ways of implementing the present mechanism and approach.There may be numerous other examples or ways of implementing themechanism and approach.

The present approach may provide an overpressure protection valve havinga support ring that may support a valve gasket of a valve disc from anoverpressure of a gas flowing through the overpressure protection valve.

The present approach may provide an overpressure protection valve tosupport the valve gasket to remain in an expected assembled position.

This present mechanism has a feature in it that it may use theadvantages of the prior used gas valve designs without harvesting thedisadvantage.

A technical benefit is to have an overpressure protection valve that maywithstand higher pressure that may be 6 times or more as compared to aconventional valve.

A technical benefit is to have an overpressure protection valve that mayautomatically close the valve from the meter or maybe closed remotely bythe head end system in case of abnormal high pressures in the gas meter.

A business advantage is to have an overpressure protection valve inwhich a valve gasket is supported from a low pressure side making a sealbetween a valve disc and a valve seat tighter such that a pressuretolerance of the overpressure protection valve is increased by a factorof 6 times or more in sealed position.

A business advantage is to have an overpressure protection valve totight the valve with the valve gasket support in the sealed positionwithout any extra cost and extra parts.

The present mechanism for protecting a valve against an overpressure ofa gas, comprises a support ring attached within an outlet pipe or aspart of the overpressure protection valve above the valve gasket. Thesupport ring may provide a support to a valve gasket from jumping off avalve disc due to the overpressure of the gas. The support ring maysupport the valve gasket to remain in expected assembled position duringan overpressure of the gas. Further, the support ring may take a forcefrom the valve gasket and the overpressure of the gas inside the valve.Next, the overpressure of the gas may support tightening of the valvedisc as pressure differential is in a same direction as a closing valvedisc direction. In addition, by supporting the valve gasket from alow-pressure side, the valve will remain tighter and may withstand apressure in a range of 40 Pound-force per Square Inch (PSI) to 70Pound-force per Square Inch (PSI), or more. Accordingly, when thepressure on the valve gasket increases, the supporting structure canensure that the valve gasket remains in position between the valve discand the valve seat.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overpressure protection valve 100.The overpressure protection valve 100 may be connected to or within agas meter (not shown) or a fluid meter (not shown) for controlling aflow of a material in a gas supply net. The material may include, butnot restricted to, gas, a liquified gas, a liquid, and so forth througha pipeline (not shown).

The key components of the overpressure protection valve 100 include avalve disc 110, valve gasket 120, valve seat 130, and a supportingstructure 140, wherein the supporting structure 140 can be configuredwith a plurality of ribs.

In an embodiment of the invention, the valve gasket 120 can be made ofsoft rubber, and be prone to expanding when the pressure within theoverpressure protection valve 100 were to increase. The valve gasket 120can be placed over the valve disc 110, and configured on the valve disc110. Above the valve gasket 120, the valve seat 130 can be configured.

In FIG. 1, the pressure and flow direction is equal to the valve closingdirection. With rising pressure, the valve gasket 120, as it is madesoft rubber, can begin to inflate or expand while being positionedbetween the valve disc 110 and the valve seat 130. Moreover, as thepressure continues to increase, the valve gasket 120 can continue toinflate and expand in size. As the valve gasket 120 continues to inflatein size, the valve gasket 120 can reach the point to where it can leaveits original position between the valve disc 110 and the valve seat 130.

Referring to FIG. 1, as the valve gasket 120 continues to inflate due tothe increase in pressure, and can potentially jump or move out of itsoriginal position between the valve seat 120 and valve disc 110 in theabsence of any external force or object that can keep the valve gasket120 in its original position. Accordingly, there is a need for the valvegasket 120 to be held in place between the valve disc 110 and the valveseat 130.

In FIG. 1, a supporting structure 140 configured within an outlet pipewithin the system 100 can prevent the valve gasket 120 from moving fromits original position between the valve disc 110 and the valve seat 130.The supporting structure 140 can include a plurality of ribs.Accordingly, as the valve gasket 120 continues to increase in size dueto increases in pressure, the supporting structure 140 can prevent thevalve gasket 120 from leaving its original position.

In FIG. 1, as the valve gasket 120 expands from a rise in pressure, thesupporting structure 140 will block the valve gasket 120 from leaving itoriginal position. The supporting structure 140 will absorb the forcesform the raising pressure. Due to the supporting structure 140 absorbingthe forces of the pressure, the valve gasket 120 is prevented fromjumping or moving from its original position. The supporting structure140 ensures that the valve gasket 120 remains in its original position.As a result, the overall tightness of the valve gasket 120 is improvedas a result of the supporting structure 140 blocking the valve gasket120 from leaving its position between the valve disc 110 and the valveseat 130 because of an increase in pressure.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2includes an overpressure protection device 200. The overpressureprotection device 200 can include a different construction than that ofFIG. 1. The overpressure protection device 200 can include a valve disc210. A valve gasket 220 can be configured over the valve disc 210. Thevalve gasket 220 can be made of soft rubber. As such, the valve gasket220 can be prone to expanding in response to an increase in pressurewithin the overpressure protection device 200. A valve seat 230 can beconfigured over the valve gasket 220. The valve gasket 220 can therebybe positioned between the valve disc 210 and the valve seat 230.

In FIG. 2, a supporting structure 240 can be configured over the valveseat 230 and also over the valve gasket 220. The supporting structure240 can be positioned apart from the valve gasket 220 and apart from anyoutlet pipe within the overpressure protection device 200. As the valvegasket 220 is made of soft rubber, the valve gasket 220 can have apropensity to expand when there is an increase in pressure within theoverpressure protection device 200. As the pressure continues toincrease, the size of the valve gasket 220 can continue to increase. Asthe size of the valve gasket 220 can continue to increase, the valvegasket 220 can start to move from its original position between thevalve disc 210 and the valve seat 230. Ideally, the valve gasket 230should remain in its position between the valve disc 210 and the valveseat 230 even if there is an increase of pressure within theoverpressure protection device 200. Nevertheless, as the pressurecontinues to increase, the size of the valve gasket 220 can continue toincrease to where the valve gasket 220 can potentially move from itsoriginal position between the valve disc 210 and the valve seat 230.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the support structure 240 configured abovethe valve gasket 220 can ensure that the valve gasket 220 remains in itsposition between the valve disc 210 and the valve seat 230 when there isan increase in pressure. As the valve gasket 220 expands and begins tomove from its original position, the supporting structure 240 will blockthe valve gasket 220 to prevent the valve gasket 220 from moving off thevalve disc 210. The supporting structure 240 can absorb the forces ofthe rising pressure, and ensure that the valve gasket 220 will remainpositioned between the valve seat 230 and the valve disc 210. Thesupporting structure 240 will prevent the valve gasket 220 from jumpingoff the valve disc 210, and an overall tightness of the valve gasket 220can be improved at high pressures.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.3, overpressure protection device 300 is shown. The overpressureprotection device 300 is configured with a valve disc 310, a valvegasket 320, and a valve seat 330. Unlike the embodiments in FIGS. 1 and2, FIG. 3 provides an illustration in which the valve gasket 320 canremain in its original position without a supporting structure to absorbthe force from an increase in pressure within the overpressureprotection device 300.

In FIG. 3, the valve disc 310 can comprise of a stiff plastic material.In addition, the valve gasket 320 can be configured of stiff plasticmaterial. As the pressure increases within the overpressure protectiondevice 300, the valve gasket 320 can begin to press onto the valve seat330, wherein the valve seat includes a soft rubber sealing.Nevertheless, as the pressure increases, the valve gasket 320 will notbegin to increase in size due to the rise in pressure. Unlike theembodiments described in FIGS. 1 and 2, the valve gasket 320 is made ofstiff plastic material. Accordingly, the valve gasket 320 will notinflate due to a rise in temperature within the overpressure protectiondevice 300. The stiff plastic material of the valve gasket 320 willprevent the valve gasket 320 from expanding due to a rise in pressure.An inflation of the valve gasket 320 is not possible due to the stiffplastic material. Further, the valve gasket 320 will be able to surviveand remain in its original position between the valve disc 310 and thevalve seat 330 as the pressure continues to rise in the overpressureprotection device 300.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment for a support structure within anoverpressure protection device. In FIG. 4, another overpressureprotection device 400 is illustrated. The overpressure protection device400 can include a valve disc 410, a valve gasket 420, a valve seat 430,and a supporting structure 440.

In FIG. 4, the supporting structure 440 is a bridge like structure. Thesupporting structure 440 is separate from an outlet pipe within theoverpressure protection device. The valve gasket 420 can be made softrubber. Accordingly, as the pressure increases within the overpressureprotection device 400, the valve gasket 420 will expand in size. As thevalve gasket 420 expands in size, the valve gasket 420 can potentiallyleave its position between the valve disc 410 and the valve seat 430.

Referring to FIG. 4, the supporting structure 440, configured like abridge structure with some ribs, can prevent the valve gasket 420 frommoving out of its original position between the valve disc 410 and thevalve seat 430. As the valve gasket 420 expands, the supportingstructure 440 will block the valve gasket 420 and prevent the valvegasket 420 from moving off its original position. The supportingstructure 440 will ensure that the valve gasket 420 will remain inbetween the valve disc 410 and the valve seat 430. Moreover, thesupporting structure 440 will absorb the force of the rising pressure,which thereby enables the valve gasket 420 to remain in its originalposition. Moreover, an overall tightness of the valve gasket 420 canalso be improved at high pressures. The supporting structure 440 with abridge-like configuration can still provide the same support as thesupporting structures described above in FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment for an overpressure protection device500. The overpressure protection device 500 includes a valve disc 510, avalve gasket 520, a valve seat 530, a supporting structure 540, and anoutput pipe 550.

Referring to FIG. 5, the valve gasket 520 can be configured on the valvedisc 510 and underneath the valve seat 530. As in the embodimentsdescribed in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, the valve gasket 520 is made of soft rubber.Accordingly, given that the valve gasket 520 is made of soft rubber, thesize of the valve gasket 520 can expand due to an increase in pressure.Although the valve gasket 520 can originally be positioned between thevalve disc 510 and the valve seat 530, the increased pressure within theoverpressure protection device 500 toward the valve gasket 520 can causethe valve gasket 520 to expand in size and start to move from itsoriginal position. In addition, the increased size of the valve gasket520 can cause the valve gasket 520 to leave its original positionbetween the valve disc 510 and the valve seat 530.

In FIG. 5, to keep the valve gasket 520 between the valve disc 510 andthe valve seat 530, a supporting structure is needed to absorb the forcefrom the rising pressure. As such, a supporting structure 540 with abridge-like configuration is illustrated. The supporting structure 540has a similar bridge-like configuration to the supporting structure 440shown in FIG. 4. However, unlike the supporting structure 440 of FIG. 4,the supporting structure 540 is attached to an outlet pipe 550.

In FIG. 5, the supporting structure 540 can block the valve gasket 520from leaving its original position in response to the valve gasket 520increasing in size due to rising pressure. Moreover, the supportingstructure 540 can absorb the force from the rising pressure, and enablethe valve gasket 520 to remain in position between the valve disc 510and the valve seat 530. The supporting structure 520, attached to theoutlet pipe 550, can continuously absorb the force from the risingpressure that causes the valve gasket 520 to increase in size. As aresult, the valve gasket 520 will remain in its original position. Inaddition, an overall tightness of the valve gasket 520 is improved athigher pressures.

FIG. 6 illustrates a process 600 wherein a supporting structure withinthe overpressure protection device enables the valve gasket within theoverpressure protection device to remain in its original position evenwhen there is an increase in pressure onto the valve gasket.

In FIG. 6, at step 610, a valve disc is configured within theoverpressure protection device. The valve disc is positioned to have avalve gasket be configured over it, and to provide an initial positionfor the valve gasket.

Referring to FIG. 6, at step 620, the valve gasket is configured on thevalve disc. The original position of the valve gasket is on the valvedisc. In ideal conditions, the valve gasket should remain on the valvedisc even if there is a rise in pressure with the overpressureprotection device.

In FIG. 6, at step 630, a valve seat is positioned above the valvegasket. The valve seat is positioned above the valve gasket to seal thevalve gasket between the valve seat and the valve disc. Due to a rise inpressure, the valve gasket can begin to inflate in size. Nevertheless,inspite of the rise in pressure and the valve gasket increasing in size,the valve gasket should remain sealed between the valve disc and thevalve seat. A supporting structure is needed to enable the valve gasketto remain sealed between the valve seat and the valve disc.

Referring to FIG. 6, at step 640, the supporting structure is configuredabove the valve gasket to enable the valve gasket to remain in positionand sealed between the valve seat and the valve disc. The supportingstructure will block the valve gasket from jumping off its originalposition between the valve disc and the valve seat. As the valve gasketcan increase in size due to the rise in pressure, the supportingstructure will enable the valve gasket to remain sealed between thevalve seat and the valve disc. Moreover, the supporting structure willabsorb the forces from the rising pressure to enable the valve gasket toremain in position. In addition, an overall tightness of the valvegasket can be improved at higher pressures.

In summary, a supporting structure described in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-6 canenable a valve gasket to remain in place when the valve gasket begins toexpand in size due to rising pressures within the overpressureprotection device. The supporting structure can block the valve gasketfrom moving from its original position between the valve seat and thevalve disc by absorbing the force from the rising pressure to enable thevalve gasket to remain in its original position.

In other embodiments, such as that described in FIG. 3, the valve gasketcan be made of stiff plastic material as opposed to soft rubber. As aresult, as the pressure increases in the overpressure protection device,the valve gasket can press more into the valve seat. The stiff plasticmaterial will also prevent the valve gasket from increasing in size. Thevalve gasket will also survive at higher and increasing pressures.

Any publication or patent document that may be noted herein is herebyincorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individualpublication, or patent document was specifically and individuallyindicated to be incorporated by reference.

In the present specification, some of the matter may be of ahypothetical or prophetic nature although stated in another manner ortense.

Although the present system and/or approach has been described withrespect to at least one illustrative example, many variations andmodifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art uponreading the specification. It is therefore the intention that theappended claims be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of therelated art to include all such variations and modifications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a valve disc configured inan overpressure protection device; a valve gasket configured above thevalve disc, wherein the valve gasket is configured to rest on the valvedisc; a valve seat configured in the overpressure protection device,wherein the valve gasket is configured to be sealed within the valvedisc and the valve seat; and a supporting structure configured above thevalve seat and the valve gasket, wherein the supporting structure isconfigured to enable the valve gasket remains in position between thevalve disc and the valve seat in response to an increase in pressure,wherein the supporting structure improves an overall tightness for thevalve gasket when the pressure increases on the valve gasket.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the supporting structure blocks the valvegasket from leaving its original position due to the pressure.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the supporting structure absorbs forceapplied to the valve gasket due to the increase in the pressure.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the supporting structure is configured with aplurality of ribs to keep the valve gasket in place.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the supporting structure is configured to blockmovement by the valve gasket in one or more directions.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the supporting structure ensures the valve gasketremains in between the valve disc and the valve seat in response to thevalve gasket beginning to inflate in size due to the increase in thepressure.
 7. A method comprising: configuring a valve disc within anoverpressure protection device; positioning a valve gasket to rest abovethe valve disc, wherein the valve gasket is configured to rest upon thevalve disc; configuring a valve seat in the overpressure protectiondevice, wherein the valve gasket is configured to be sealed within thevalve disc and the valve seat; and situating a supporting structureabove the valve gasket and the valve seat, wherein the supportingstructure is configured to enable the valve gasket remains in positionbetween the valve disc and the valve seat in response to an increase inpressure, wherein the supporting structure improves an overall tightnessfor the valve gasket when the pressure increases on the valve gasket. 8.The method of claim 7, wherein the supporting structure blocks the valvegasket from inflating due to the increase in the pressure.
 9. The methodof claim 7, wherein the supporting structure ensures the valve gasketdoes not lose contact with the valve disc.
 10. The method of claim 7,wherein the supporting structure is configured to absorb the appliedforce from the valve gasket.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein thesupporting structure is configured to absorb pressure applied behind thevalve gasket.
 12. The method of claim 7, wherein valve gasket canwithstand pressure of at least sixty pounds per square inch (PSI) due tothe supporting structure.